TL/DR –
In the last 2020 Presidential debate, Democratic candidate Joe Biden called for ceasing all federal subsidies for the oil industry, citing global warming as an existential threat. Despite increasing evidence of climate change, including record temperatures and climate-related disasters, climate change was not a significant point of discussion in the Presidential campaigns, with Vice-President Kamala Harris primarily addressing the issue in terms of green job creation. Despite this, mainstream environmentalists believe the country is generally on the right course, and if elected, Harris will benefit from the momentum behind clean energy.
2020 Presidential Debate Concludes with Biden’s Call to End Federal Subsidies for Oil Industry
During the final stage of the 2020 presidential debate, Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee, emphasized the urgent need to put a halt to federal subsidies supporting the oil sector. Highlighting the existential threat posed by global warming, Biden voiced the scientific consensus that time is running out to address climate change effectively. In response to Donald Trump’s combative questioning, Biden confirmed his plan to transition away from the oil industry, a move that later helped him secure a win in Pennsylvania and the overall election.
Climate Change: An Increasingly Evident Global Emergency
In the past four years, climate change has increasingly manifested itself through soaring average air temperatures and record-breaking ocean temperatures. This shift has amplified the intensity of hurricanes and led to an unprecedented surge in fires and floods worldwide. It has prompted U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres to label the fossil fuel industry as the chief instigator of climate chaos and to call for a coordinated global response.
Addressing Climate Change: The Role of U.S. Presidential Campaigns
Vice-President Kamala Harris, however, has sparingly discussed climate change during this year’s presidential campaign. While Harris made assurances about job creation in the green sector, her focus largely remained on not intervening with fracking, especially in Pennsylvania. This lack of engagement with climate change issues can be attributed to a truncated primary season and Joe Biden’s continued commitment to climate initiatives after securing the Democratic nomination.
Biden’s Climate Initiatives and the Future of U.S. Decarbonization
Biden, during his presidency, prioritized climate initiatives, persuading the Senate to pass the Inflation Reduction Act which allocated substantial federal funding towards an energy transition. Despite some concessions to the fossil fuel industry, the Act catalyzed a surge in investment in renewable energy technologies like heat pumps and E.V. chargers. The prevailing assumption among environmentalists is that the momentum behind clean energy will only grow, regardless of the election outcome. However, the future president will need to address the economic implications of climate-induced natural disasters and possibly an insurance crisis that could inflame inflation.
The 2012 Presidential Election: A Precedent for Addressing Climate Change
While the climate change conversation has largely been overshadowed in this election, there is a precedence for last-minute shifts in focus. During the 2012 presidential election, discussions on global warming were largely absent until the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Sandy led to a surprise endorsement of President Barack Obama by New York’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg. This turn of events brought an overdue focus on climate change, emphasizing the necessity of addressing this issue for the sake of future generations.
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